Electrodynamic aggregate motion positioning

ABSTRACT

An elongated actuator is arranged for rocking between a pair of rails defining a generally horizontal path. Therein, the actuator is pivotally connected, off-center from its opposed ends, to an output member which is constrained for reciprocation in a vertical course extending transversely of the path. Displacement of the output member is effected by rocking the opposed ends of the actuator into bearing association with inner path defining surfaces of the rails.

United States Patent Cless [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] ELECTRODYNAMICAGGREGATE MOTION POSITIONING [72 Inventor: Gerhard Cless, Skokie, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Teletype Corporation, Skokie, Ill.

[22] Filed: March 4, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 121,097

[52] US. Cl ..3l0/37 [51] Int. Cl ...H02k 7/06 [58] Field of ..310/27,36- 39,

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,628,073 1211971 U Berney ;310l27 3,459,976 8/ I969 Nyman ..3 10/36 Primary Examiner-D. F.Duggan Attomey-J. I... Landis and R. P. Miller ABSTRACT An elongatedactuator is arranged for rocking between a pair of rails defining agenerally horizontal path. Therein, the actuator is pivotallyconnected,- olfcenter from its opposed ends, to an output member whichis constrained for reciprocation in a vertical course extendingtransversely of the path. Displacement of the output member is effectedby rocking the opposed ends of the actuator into bearing associationwith inner path defining surfaces of the rails.

IICIaims, l3Dl'awingfiglu'es- ELECTRODYNAMIC AGGREGATE MOTIONPOSITIONING FIELD OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I To effectthe foregoing, and other objects of the invention-which will becomeapparent from the ensuing detailed description of the invention, anaggregate motion positioner has path defining means. An elongatedactuator is associated with the path for relative mov ment. An outputmember, which has a plurality of positions of linear displacement ispivoted off-center to said actuator. Means are provided for rocking theactuator to displace the output member; and means are provided forlimiting displacement of the output member as a function of the relativelocation of the actuator along the path.

From another aspect, the foregoing objects are I achieved in an impactprinter wherein printing dies are arranged in parallel columns andparallel rows which intersect said columns on a carrier supported from astem constrained for vertical reciprocation. Means for aligning a rowcontaining any selected die at a printing station by moving the stemvertically comprises an actuator arm having opposed end portions whichare aligned transversely of the stem. Pivoting means connect the stem tothe actuator arm ofi-center from the opposed end portions thereof. Apair of inductance coils coupled in a magnetic flux field are adapted todrive the opposed end portions upwardly and downwardly into engagementwith a pair of vertically spaced apart rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the ensuing detailed description ofthe invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a mechanism in a printer embodying oneform of the present invention, parts being broken away for the purposeof illustration;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view according to the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view according to the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a scheme illustrating the levels of displacement for whichsaid embodiment is adapted, spacing of abutment members beingexaggerated;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention, aplurality of alternate conditions of an actuator being shown in dashedlines; and

FIGS. 6-13 are schematic views illustrating further alternate conditionsof the embodiment shown in FIG.

5, yet further alternate conditions being shown in dashed lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly toFIG. 1, shown is only sufficient of a percussive or impact printer -10of a class generally associated with typewriters, teleprinters, and thelike, for illustrating the invention. The printer comprises a typesupport assembly havinga type carrier 14 and a depending stem 16 on theupper end portion of which the carrier is supported concentrically ofthe longitudinal axis of said stem. The stem is vertically orientedbeing constrained for reciprocation vertically To rotate carrier 14about the longitudinal axis of stem 16, a pair of opposed parallel gearracks l8 and 20 are supported above flange 13 for reciprocation to andfro in a horizontal plane transversely of the axis of said stem. Thegear racks operably mesh with a pinion 22 in a pair of positions spacedapart The stem, in turn, is constrained for rotation with the pinion,the hub of which has a bearing extension 23 slidable on the uppersurface of flange l3. Thereby, upon extension of gear rack 18 toward theviewer (with respect to FIG. I) and retraction of gear rack 20 away fromthe viewer, carrier 14 will rotate clockwise as viewed from the top.Reversal of the direction of movement of said racks will result inrotation of carrier 14 counterclockwise. The movement of gear racks 18and 20 may be controlled in a known manner for aligning a die in anyselected of the columns a-e with a printing station forpercussivetransfer of its image by known means to a web (not shown).

Vertical displacement of carrier 14 for aligning any selected of rowsI-IV with the printingstation is effected through the agency of an armor rod 24. It is constrained for reciprocation vertically through a pairof horizontally spaced apart flanges 25 and 27 of carriage 12 which aredisposed below flange 13. Said rod has a vertical aspect which iscoaxial with and disposed below stem 16 to which said rod is coupled.For that purpose rod 24 may have a bifurcated upper off-set flangebetween tines 26 and 28 of which a depending reduced end portion 30 ofstem 16 is rotatably engaged enabling initial angular adjustment ofcarrier 14. A lock nut 32 mounted on the outermost threaded end part 34,of reduced end portion 30 completes a releaseable securance. Inconsequence thereof stem 16 and rod 24 maybe reciprocated in a verticalcourse as a discrete output construction or member, generally designated35. By means which will be disclosed in ensuing description, outputmember 35 can. be controlled to provide selected levels of output forcorrespondingly displacing carrier 14.

The means defining a printing station may be conventional. That is tosay, it can be stationary relative to which a web (not shown) isarranged for movement; or

' it can advance successively forprinting on a web which is immobilizedhorizontally. Printer is of the latter type, carriage 12 being adaptedfor sliding movement horizontally through a succession of equally spacedapart steps. Such movement is shown as being effected by apair ofopposed bearings 36 and 38 which are connected to flanges 25 and 27 formoving carrier 14. Means for driving carriage 12 and accordingly carrier14 transversely of the vertical course of member 35 to successiveprinting stations may be conventional; and as said driving means formsno part of the present invention, it is omitted from the drawings.

Means for controlling the vertical level of output member 35, andaccordingly, displacement of carrier 14, comprises an actuator oractuator arm or lever 40. It has a pair of lever sections 41 and 43 withopposed outer end portions 42 and 44 which are aligned transverselyofoutput member 35. The end portions 42 and 44 are each free to move,independently of each other, toward and away from a reference plane(such as P in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the axis of movement of the typecarrier 14, or other work piece to be positioned. A pivot 46 rockablyconnects the actuator arm and the output member off-center from opposedouter end portions 42 and 44 and separates sections 41 and 43.

The extent or range of rocking movement of actuator arm 40 is limited bya pair of opposed horizontal rails or elongated stops 47 and 48. Theydefine a path in which said actuator arm is disposed, the path extendingtransversely of the course of vertical reciprocation of output member35. A pair of like proportioned cylindrical, preferably non-magnetic,abutment members 50 and 52 are secured to end portions 42 and 44,respectively, for engaging rails 47 and 48, thereby to limit angularmovement of actuator arm 40 in opposite directions about pivot 46 bylimiting movement of each end portion 42 and 44. Abutment member 50 isshown as being twice the distance from pivot 46 as is abutment member52. Thereby, section 41 is effectively twice as long as section 43.

As a result of the foregoing arrangement, output member 35 can bedisplaced vertically to any selected of four conditions or levels inwhich the level of pivot 46 will be correspondingly disposed. Theselevels and corresponding aspects of actuator arm 40 are designated w, x,y, and z in FIG. 4 which illustrates all four displacement conditions,as follows: When the actuator arm is in its w aspect, lying parallel toand adjacent the upper rail 47, both abutment members 50 and 52 engagerail 47 for moving the output member to its highest level. With actuatorarm in its x aspect (the position of FIG. 1), abutment member 50 isengaged with the lower rail 48, while abutment member 52 is engaged withthe upper rail 47, whereby the output member is displaced to its secondhighest vertical level In the second lowest vertical or y level ofdisplacement, the aspect of the actuator arm is such that abutmentmember 50 engages the upper rail 47 and abutment member 52 engages thelower rail 48. The lowest displacement or 2 level of the output memberis produced by adjusting actuator arm 40 such that it is parallel to andadjacent the lower rail 48, both abutment members 50 and 52, then beingin engagement with said last rail.

In accordance with the present invention, means are adapted formagnetomotively rocking actuator arm 40, particularly, reversiblydriving end portions 42 and 44. Said means comprise a pair of likeproportioned electrical coils 54 and 56 which are rigidly secured on endportions 42 and 44, respectively. Each of the coils .54 and 56 has aplanar p profile, being wound in a rectangular configuration with alower strand section 60, an upper strand section 62, parallel to saidlower strand section, and a pair of parallel side strand sections 64 and66, said side strand sections being substantially parallel to each otherand normal to strand sections 60 and 62. In the illustrated arrangement,each of the abutment members 50 and 52 has a slot 58 (FIG. 2) to providea seat in which the lower strand section 60of the corresponding of thecoils 54 and 56 is engaged.

The driving'means for actuator arm 40 also comprises a magnetic fluxfield, whose lines of flux extend across a non-magnetic or air gap 68(FIG. 2) of a permanent magnet structure 70. Each strand section 60 iscoupleably disposed in said air gap with its strands extendingperpendicularly to the magnetic lines of flux in said air gap. A pair ofparallel elongated horizontally extending sections 72 and 74, whichcomprise structure 70, are oppositely polarized, extend longitudinallyof rails 47 and 48 transversely of output member 35, and therebetweendefine said air gap. By placing each coil strand 62 outside of air gap68, signals through coils 54 and 56 can induce magnetic fields aboutstrands 60 for operatively driving end portions 42 and 44 of theactuator for displacing output member 35.

In the exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1) magnetic section 74 extends betweenthe flanges 25 and 27 transversely of output member 35 through a pocket76 in carriage 12. Upper and lower surfaces of which said magneticsection provide or carry a pair of tracks along which bearings 36 and 38are slideable. Omitted from the drawing is a driver (which may be ofknown con-' struction) for generating signals in coils 54 and 56 forproducing desired angular aspects of actuator arm 40.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-13, sections141 and 143 of an actuator arm 140 are preferably of unequal effectivelengths, as shown. However, they need not be, provided that rails 147and 148 have inner curved surfaces or stops 149 and 151. Herein saidsurfaces are convex; the curves being generated on equal radii. Thesecurved surfaces or stops comprise means for limiting the lineardisplacement of output member as a function of the relative position ofactuator or actuator arm along the path defined by said rails andtransversely of the course of reciprocation of the output member. Inaccordance with the invention, the output member and the rail pair arearranged for relative adjustment longitudinally of a path extendingperpendicularly of the course of the output member. Moreover, the curvedrails may be arranged for adjustment, each relative the other thereof,whereby the range and spacing of output or displacement levels may beadjusted.

In the state of adjustment shown in FIG. 5, in which rails 147 and 148and output member 135 are centered, the centers of rails curvature andthe center of arm 140 are disposed along an imaginary straight centerline 160 when the arm is in its w and z aspects (not shown in FIG. Alsoin FIG. 5, abutment member 150 is twice the distance from pivot 146 asis abutment member 152; and pivot 146 is arranged for reciprocation in acourse which is offset from and parallel to line 160. Accordingly,spacing of the four alternate output levels only it and y of which areillustrated by the level of the pivot will be different in FIG. 5 fromthe spacing of the output levels had the rails been straight, as in FIG.1.

FIGS. 6-13 illustrate adjustments of rails 147 and 148'each relative tothe other thereof and relative to output member 135. In thevarious'views, the output member (only of which pivot 146 is shown) isdisposed in its centered position; but in each view actuator arm 140 isin one of the aspects w'-z, and the following is observed: i

In FIG. 6, the solid line condition shows rails 147 and 148 shifted tothe left relative center line160; while the dashed line condition showsboth rails shifted to the right thereof. Actuator arm 140 is shown inits y aspect. Reference to the position of pivot 146 indicates thelevels of displacement 'of theoutput member corresponding to theaforesaidshifted positions of the rails.

In FIG. 7, actuator arm 140 is illustrated in its '2 aspect. Referenceto pivot 146 discloses the output levels which can be effected byshifting rail 148 to the left (solid line) of center line 160 and to theright (dashed line) of the center line, while rail 147remains centered.

In FIG. 8, rail 148 is shown shifted to the left (solid line) of thecenter line and to the right (dashed lines) of the center line, withactuator arm 140 being in its x aspect and upper rail 147 centered. Byholding lower rail 148 centered (FIG. 9), a greater displacement rangecan be effected while arm 140 is in its x aspect by shifting rail 147from left of center line 160 to the right thereof, than is efiected byshifting the lower rail 148 (as in FIG. 8).

With arm 140 in the same aspect as in FIGS. 8 and 9, both rails are sownshifted, (FIG. 10) to the left (solid line) of center line 160 and tothe right (dashed line) thereof, such that relative to each other saidrails have not moved. However, relative, output member 135, they havemoved together. The x level of displacement produced in consequence ofthe shift to the left from center line 160 is higher than the levelresulting from shifting the rails a like distance to the right of saidcenter line.

FIG. 11 illustrates the effect on displacement while actuator arm 140 isin its w aspect and rail 147 is shifted from center'line 160, first tothe left (solid line) and then to the right (dashed line). It isobserved that while the actuator arm is in said w aspect, the positionof rail 148 is immaterial, insofar as the effect on the level ofdisplacement is concerned. In a similar manner, the position of rail 147is immaterial when the actuator arm is in its 2 aspect (FIG. 7).

In FIG. 12 the rail condition depicted is the same as in FIG. 9,However, actuator arm 140 in FIG. 12 is shown in its y aspect. Theeffect on displacement of output member 135 by shifting rail 147, as inFIG. 12, is similar to the effect on displacement of the output memberresulting from shifting of rail 148 when actuator arm 140 is in its xaspect (FIG. 8).

An effect on displacement, similar to the effect in FIG. 9, is achievedaccording to FIG. 13. However, in FIG. 13, actuator arm is in its yaspect, upper rail 147 retained in its centered condition, and lowerrail 148 is shown shifted from center line to the left (solid line) andto the right (dashed line).

The foregoing has not taken into graphic account the relationships andeffects on displacement which could result from shifting of actuator arm140 in a path extending transversely of line 160. Nor has the effect ofvarying the radii of curvatures of rails 147 and 148 been illustratedgraphically. However, both of these variations are within the purview ofthe invention as are other modifications according to displacementrequirements and the design of which will occur to those skilled in theart.

Moreover, as yet, other modifications in the described constructioncould be conceived, and as many changes could be made thereinwithoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in .the accompanying specification shall beconsidered as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An aggregate motion positioner comprising: means defining a path;

' an elongated actuator, said actuator and said path as sociated forrelative movement;

an output member having a plurality of positions of linear displacementand pivoted off-center tosaid actuator; means for rocking said actuatorto displace said member lineally; and means for limiting the linealdisplacement of said member as a function of the relative location ofsaid actuator along said path.

2. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 1 wherein thepositions of displacement of said output member are along a courseintersecting said path.

3. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 2 wherein saidlimiting means comprises an elongated curved stop defining said path.

4. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 3 characterized bya pair of rails, including said stop, for limiting angular movement ofsaid actuator when rocked.

5. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 1 wherein saidlimiting means comprises a pair of rails defining said path and arrangedfor barring movement of the opposite end portions of said actuator tocorrespondingly set the level of displacement of said member.

6. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 5 wherein saidrocking means comprises a magnetic flux field extending longitudinallyof said rails and a pair of inductive coils coupleably supported in saidflux field for reversibly driving opposed end portions of said actuator.

7. An aggregate motion positioner comprising:

a pair of spaced apart rails defining a path;

an actuator arm having opposed end portions disposed in said path andarranged for relative movement longitudinally thereof;

a pair of abutment members connected to said opposed end portions forengaging said rails to set the aspect of said actuator arm in said path;

secured to said opposed end portions, and said structure is magnetic andhas an air gap across which the lines of flux in said field extendtransversely of said path.

10. A device according to claim 7 in which each of said rails is movablymounted relative to the other thereof and at least one of said rails hasan inner curved surface adjoining said path and extending longitudinallythereof.

11. A device according to claim 10 characterized in that said outputmember and said curved surface are ductance means comprises a pair ofelectrical coils associated for movement, each relative to the othergenerally longitudinally of said rails.

* l l l l

1. An aggregate motion positioner comprising: means defining a path; anelongated actuator, said actuator and said path associated for relativemovement; an output member having a plurality of positions of lineardisplacement and pivoted off-center to said actuator; means for rockingsaid actuator to displace said member lineally; and means for limitingthe lineal displacement of said member as a function of the relativelocation of said actuator along said path.
 2. An aggregate motionpositioner according to claim 1 wherein the positions of displacement ofsaid output member are along a course intersecting said path.
 3. Anaggregate motion positioner according to claim 2 wherein said limitingmeans comprises an elongated curved stop defining said path.
 4. Anaggregate motion positioner according to claim 3 characterized by a pairof rails, including said stop, for limiting angular movement of saidactuator when rocked.
 5. An aggregate motion positioner according toclaim 1 wherein said limiting means comprises a pair of rails definingsaid path and arranged for barring movement of the opposite end portionsof said actuator to correspondingly set the level of displacement ofsaid member.
 6. An aggregate motion positioner according to claim 5wherein said rocking means comprises a magnetic flux field extendinglongitudinally of said rails and a pair of inductive coils coupleablysupporTed in said flux field for reversibly driving opposed end portionsof said actuator.
 7. An aggregate motion positioner comprising: a pairof spaced apart rails defining a path; an actuator arm having opposedend portions disposed in said path and arranged for relative movementlongitudinally thereof; a pair of abutment members connected to saidopposed end portions for engaging said rails to set the aspect of saidactuator arm in said path; an output member arranged for movement alonga course extending transversely of said path and pivotally connected tosaid actuator arm off-center from said opposed end portions; and meansfor reversibly driving said opposed end portions into engagement withselected of any and both rails to adjust said output memberlongitudinally of its course.
 8. A device according to claim 7 whereinsaid driving means comprises a structure for producing a magnetic fluxfield longitudinally of said rails and inductance means disposed in saidmagnetic flux field.
 9. A device according to claim 8 wherein theinductance means comprises a pair of electrical coils secured to saidopposed end portions, and said structure is magnetic and has an air gapacross which the lines of flux in said field extend transversely of saidpath.
 10. A device according to claim 7 in which each of said rails ismovably mounted relative to the other thereof and at least one of saidrails has an inner curved surface adjoining said path and extendinglongitudinally thereof.
 11. A device according to claim 10 characterizedin that said output member and said curved surface are associated formovement, each relative to the other generally longitudinally of saidrails.